Cambodian director is festival's 'Asian Filmmaker of the Year'

He will receive his commendation during the 18th edition of the festival (Oct 3-12, 2013).
Panh, whose most recent work, “The Missing Picture” (pictured) appeared in the Cannes festival’s Un Certain regard section this year, was expelled from Cambodia in 1975. He was educated and attended film school in France. He returned to Cambodia in 1990 but continues to use Paris as a home base and from there documents the history and minutiae of daily life in his native Cambodia.

Previous work includes “Rice People,” “S21 The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine” and “Duch Master of the Forges of Hell.”

“The Missing Picture” sees Ranh recreate scenes from Cambodian history using models after he found accurate documentation to be missing or destroyed.

Busan said it is recognizing Panh for “his well-made works and remarkable accomplishments in education and cultural records.”